Saturday, August 27, 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

I've been tending to a little garden that Elijah & I planted at the beginning of summer. My very talented friend Sunny made me 2 winsome gardening beds for my birthday this year and I've slowly been hunting and gathering seeds, sprigs, and plants to make this little garden grow. Sometimes, when I get home, there is a wonderful little package of seeds waiting patiently for me to find them on my doormat or a gift of wildflower seed bombs all that my wonderfully cool and lovely neighbor Laurenso kindly leaves. Those are the best kinds of gifts. Unexpected and just waiting to be tended to so they can bloom.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

"The Plant Journal is made for all the people who, like us, love plants. People who get excited looking at how a kentia grows in their living rooms and arranging a bunch of fresh flowers. People who recreate the greenery with affection, who decorate their houses, gardens and lives with plants. But also for those who try and try but are unable to keep them alive.

Lead by curiosity, we began to discover the work of many photographers, illustrators, gardeners, craftsmen, scientists, cooks, designers, filmmakers, writers, architects and artists, both established and emerging, who shared with us their perceptions and experiences about plants. Because of them, our idea of this publication began to change and became The Plant Journal, a curious observer of ordinary plants and other greenery."

It's pretty extraordinary when you have not one but *two* artistic neighbors that are both lady spirits, extremely well crafted and beautiful! We decided to put some time aside and have an actual craft night that lead to a continuation gathering outdoors the very next day! HA! The creativity was flowing! Feathers, crystals, branches, paints, tape, twine, string & gold leaf! It was pretty awesome and very inspiring to be around these two wondrous ladybirds as we spun tales, wove magic, and shared an evening + afternoon of heartfelt stories and laughs. Thanks to this craft session I finally got to complete some branch arrows that I have wanted to make for a long time. And my spirit felt lifted and inspired. I think the best part though was realizing how fortunate I am to have both Lauren and Kellyas my upstairs neighbors and new friends! I mean c'mon, really?!

*grateful*

O We're planning our next craft night for the first full moon in September O

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Just in case you somehow haven't seen the amazing photos that Mario Testino shot of Kate Moss' wedding to Jamie Hince, here they are! Only Kate could have a day like this. It's everything I love: part gypsy, part English, part Edwardian and total class. Every last detail, down to the wildflower crowns, is absolutely perfect. Enjoy! (and happy Sunday to you)*

Thursday, August 18, 2011

(I told you, I'm in love).
The way the light hits the tree through the branches to project deep shadows on the wall and the position of the woman makes this so nostalgic and intimate. And how about that the tree has overtaken that indoor space? Creeping through it's crumbling walls and broken windows.

Some incredibly haunting and rather diaphanous photography by Joanna Pallaris. I wish I could have been able to visit this exhibit (London 2010) sooo badly. She shot all of these photographs in one day at a crumbling sanctuary in Hampshire, distinctively collecting a narrative that chillingly yet delicately unfolds before our eyes. The story is beautiful. Nature, the omnipresent and self-serving spirit that draws our eye between the intimate atmospheres and the devastating, if not wildly beautiful, light in which all succumbs and deteriorates to one way or another. Oh, and she shoots in Polaroid...enough said. I'm in love*

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

I've been using some of my pressed petals lately and I really love it. It's a delicate craft in nature due to the fragility of the petals, but they are so worth the time it takes to press and later use. I'm still playing around with which adhesive works best. It's also rather wonderful how the shape of certain petals can suggest another creature or forms.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Saturday, August 6, 2011

2.) We made a syrup with sugar and water and brought it to a boil & dropped the flowers in

3.) After coating our flowers and herbs with the syrup, we used a toothpick to lay them out as flat as possible (requires patience)

4.) Awww bummer, not as pretty or as candied as we wanted them to be :(

A while back, my dear friend and I decided to try and candy some edible flowers and herbs. We had a little book to guide us and yet we didn't get the end results we wanted. Do you think we should have used a candy thermometer? I was skeptical to include the last photo because it certainly doesn't look very appetizing, does it?! Gonna have to try this one again...